Please be advised that in response to historic drought conditions, the Outdoor Water Use Emergency banning all lawn watering will remain in effect as we enter the month of October. This includes a continued ban on filling of swimming pools, and washing of vehicles with water supplied by the municipal drinking water system. Fines for non-compliance will also remain in effect.

While the area has received some rain within the last week or so, the State issued Drought Watch remains in effect. Streams are starting to rebound, but remain well below normal seasonal levels. The Massachusetts Drought Management Task Force Meeting will meet on Wednesday, October 5th to review drought conditions across the State. Concord will monitor this discussion and will update local Water Use Restrictions accordingly. Until there are notable changes, the State continues to encourage all water users, including households and businesses that draw water from private wells, to conserve water by reducing indoor and outdoor water usage.
We understand that there is a desire to perform seasonal lawn care and landscaping activities. Concord Public Works’ top priority remains the assurance of adequate water available for drinking water and fire protection, today and into the foreseeable future. Consider replacing some of the hardest hit areas of turf with drought resistant plantings. To serve as a guide to property owners looking to create attractive landscapes that require less water and maintenance, Concord has developed a number of easy to follow Water-Smart Landscape Templates (concordma.gov/354/Water-Smart-Landscape-Templates). If you do move ahead with seasonal lawn care which will require supplemental watering, please work with your lawn care provider to secure an alternative water source (i.e. tanker). We will lift the Water Use Restriction as soon as possible.
Water Use Restriction updates will be made available on the Town’s website at www.concordma.gov/water, on the Town’s Facebook and Twitter pages, or by calling the information hotline at 978-318-3249.